Sam Gilliam's "Dew" exemplifies his innovative approach to abstract painting through the layering of collage, acrylic, dye pigments, and oil glazes on canvas mounted to board. The work demonstrates Gilliam's characteristic exploration of color, transparency, and material texture, techniques he developed as a pioneering figure in Color Field painting and process-based abstraction. The combination of diverse media creates visual depth and luminosity, inviting viewers to contemplate how different materials interact and transform under light.